Vapor-valve for steam-heating



s E'. GOLD. YAP0R ,VAL VE-IFOR STEAM'HEATING. APLlcATloN rvxL'EnfAPn. 29, 191s.

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UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

EDWARD E. GOLD, OF NEW YORK, N. Y., ASSIGN OR T0 GOLD CAR HEATING & LIGHT- ING COMPANY, OF NEVI YORK, N. Y., A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK.

VAPOR-VALVE FOR STEAM-HEATING.

Application filed April 29, 1918.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I., EDWARD lf). Grunn, a citizen of the United States of America, residing in the borough of Manhattan, city, county, and State of New York, have invented certain new anduseul Improvements in Vapor-Valves for Steam-Heating, oi which the following is a specification.

The invention has todo with vapor valves for steam heating systems of the ltype generally used for car heating, and the primary purpose is to aiiord a self-contained unitary structure and characterized by its efcie'ncy and cheapness.

In the class of car heaters to which reference is had, steam passes through an inlet valveto a radiator, from which it eX- hausts to the atmosphere after iirst coming in contact with a diaphragm thermostat, thence traveling through a Ventilating horn which constitutes the outlet. The diaphragm thermostat is positioned so as to control the inlet valve, 'the volume of ingoing steam being determined by the temperature of the steam at the outlet portion where the diaphragm thermostat is located.

Various means have been devised hereto- 4 :tore for constructing and correlating the inlet chamber and valve, and the diaphragm chamber or outlet, and it is a particular object of this invention to bring these parts into such relationship as to constitute a single removable unit. I accomplish this, in a general way, through the utilization of an integral casing containing the inlet and outlet chambers, instead of having these elements in separate partsrequiring connection.

The inlet chamber is preferably at one end of the casing, while the outlet chamber y is at the other end and conta-insgthe diaphragm thermostat. A valve stem extends through theportion of the casing between the two chambers referred to, carrying an inlet-controling valve at one end and cooperating at its other end with the ther mostat.

Such a structure eliminates the necessity of any stuiiing box around the valve stem, and I have provided means for preventing any steam leaking through, around the valve stem, from coming directly into contact with the thermostat and causing premature action of the inlet valve.

This may be accomplished by providing Specification of Letters Patent.

fpreventing .direct travel of Patented Jan. 11, 1921.

Serial No. 231,316. a supplemental 'chamber surrounding the stem and connecting the chamber with a vent opening which extends laterally away 'rom'the stem, and also arranging within the chamber a supplemental valve seat that coperates with a valve upon the stem, and any vapor around-the `valve stem into the outlet chamber. The inlet chamber may include a double valve seat and a manually-controlled valve which can be usedto shut of ,the steam at will. f v

To these and other ends the invention f consists in certain improvements and combinations of parts as will be hereinafter more fully described, and as pointed outin the claims following the specification.

Referring to the drawings,-

Figure l is a vertical sectional view of a valve unit constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 is an elevational view illustrating its application to a car heating system where the highest point of the radiatory lies only slightly above thevalve;

Fig. 3 is a similar view showing the application of the device where the highest vpoint of the radiator is positioned some distance above the valve;

Fig. 4 is a plan view of the structure shown in Fig. l, and

Fig. 5 is an end elevation.

In the illustrated embodiment, which is typical but does not confine the invention to such precise form, I employ a casing of preferably integral, or one-piece construction, and comprising end portions A and B, and a centralv portion C. The end portion A contains the inlet chamber a, while the end portion B contains the outlet or thermostat chamber b, and c designates a supplemental or intermediate chamber` within the central portion, which will be referred to more particularly presently.

The inlet chamber a contains the usual strainer ci and oppositely disposed valve seats e and j. D is the inlet pipe leading from the train pipe D to the valve casing, E is a continuation of the inlet pipe leading from the valve casing to the radiatonwhile F is the outlet or return pipe from the radiator G, and leading to the outlet chamber b. G designates the usual Ventilating horn connected with the outlet chamber The inflow of vapor is controlled by the inlet valve g ivhich engages the seat c and is carried on the end of valve stem H. The valve stem H extends through the chamber c and the central part of the casing from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber, and in the latter is arranged the usual diaphragm thermostat cooperating with the valve stem. The diaphragm l is preferably supported on bearings 7i. and z', the former oi which is formed on the valve stem, While the latter is supported on an extension y' of the casing It will be understood that the inlet valve G is normally open, and when steam is admitted it continues to How to the radiator until the temperature in the diaphragm chamber rises suiiiciently to expand the thermostat and close the valve. @ne oi the advantages of the present structure lies in bringing the inlet and outlet chambers into close relationship through the integral casing construction, and thus eliminating any outside stuffing box for the valve stem. It might be possible, upon a sudden inrush of steam at train-pipe pressure, for it to force around the valve stem and directlyinto the diaphragm chamber Without going to the radiator. Such action would be likely to cause excessive and premature expansion ot the thermostat and close the inlet valve before the proper amount of vapor had passed through the radiator. To overcome this I have provided means for preventing access of steam directly to the thermostat. This is preferably accomplished by securing` a threaded sleeve if; into the supplemental chamber c. The sleeve if: carries a valve l which surrounds the valve stem H, at a point adjacent to the thermostat chamber b. The valve stem H carries a. supplemental or auxiliary valve Washer m which abuts against shoulder a; and cooperates with the aforesaid seat Z and thus prevents any passage of vapor around the valve stem into the thermostat chamber. The valve stem is held normally in the position shown in Fig. l, by the spring a. ln the event that any steam pressure is created within the supplemental chamber c, it is relieved by a vent o which forms a communication between the chamber c and the outlet chamber Z), and eX- tends laterally with reference to the valve stem, or in a direction aivay from the latter. By this arrangement, any vapor under pressure which `linds its Way into the supplemental chamber c will pass through 'the vent 0 into the outlet chamber, but Without coming into direct contact with the thermostat,

and thus the normal operation is not interferedwith.

lt is very desirable to provide a unit of this character with a manual shut-ofi" in order to reduce the number of independent controlling parts and also lessen the manuu facturing cost. To this end l may employ a removable head J carrying the threaded valve stem K and hand wheel L. The valve stem K is provided with the valve M which cooperates with the aforesaid seat f, forming a positive sliutpii or closure for the inlet. It" the particular application ot the device makes it unnecessary to have the manuallycontrolled valve M, the head J may be removed and a plug N substituted in its place.

The structure described is exceedingly compact, and is of such simple and economical formation that a complete unit, such as described, can be employed for each division or coil of a radiator, as distinguished from prior constructions Where one vapor valve has commonly been used for a two coil radiator. A further advantage of my improve-ment is .that the' integral casing affords a heat-conducting medium directly from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber, so that when the inlet valve is closed, suficient heat is communicated through the casing to the entire structure to prevent freezing. rlChis condition prevails as long as steam is supplied to the car or system, and when steam is cut oit there is not sufiicient back condensation to cause any trouble.

It will be observed "from the arrangement shown in Fig. 2, that the highest point Voi' the radiator E, or inlet pipe, is compara tively a short distance above the inlet valve, and the only condensation which would drop back would be that between the valve and the uppermost part of the pipe E. l/Vhere the radiator is disposed considerably higher than the inlet valve, as shown in Fig. 3, the long intervening pipe Q, might condense suiiicient steam to give trouble from freezing it this condensation Were retained above the valve by the closing oi the manual shut-oliE valve M already described; hence for such radiators it is preferable to replace the valve M by the cap N and provide a separate shut-olf valve P at the top of the pipe and substantially on a level with the top of the radiator.

The thermostat chamber is provided with a removable cover g whichk permits access to the interior for replacing the diaphragm or otherwise repairing the internal parts. Before removing this cover (iil steam is on) the valve M-P should first be closed.

The invention is not limited to the particular structure disclosed, but may be carried out in other Ways than that described, and various modiications and changes may be made Without departing from the underlying features of my improvements, as contemplated Within the scope of the following claims.

I claim as my invention 1. A vapor valve 'for a steam heating system comprising a casing formed with an inlet chamber, an outlet chamber, and an intervening chamber, the inlet chamber having inlet and outlet openings and an intervening valveseat, the outlet chamber having an inlet opening for receiving the radiator discharge and an outlet opening for the drip, the casing forming such chambers being substantially integral, a valve in said inlet chamber, a thermostatic diaphragm in said outlet chamber, and a valvestem passing through said intermediate chamber and transmitting movement from said diaphragm to said inlet valve, said intermediate chamber. having communication only with said valve chamber on the discharge side of the valve seat, and with said outlet chamber.

2. A vapor valve according to claim 1, the intermediate chamber formed mainly in said casing, and a collar surrounding the stem and fastened in said casing between said intermediate chamber and the outlet chamber.

3. The combination with a casing including inlet and outlet chambers and an intermediate chamber therebetween, of a valve stem extending through the intermediate chamber having a valve at one end adapted to control passage of steam through the inlet chamber, a thermostatic diaphragm coperating with the other end of the valve stem, a valve seat in the intermediate chamber surrounding the stem adjacent to the outlet chamber, and a valve ixedly mounted on the stem coperating with the seat.

4. A vapor valve comprising a casing including inlet and outlet chambers and an intermediate chamber separated from the inlet and outlet chambers by stationary walls, the outlet chamber having an inlet thereto and an outlet therefrom, a valve stem extending through the intermediate chamber and into the inlet and outlet chambers, and having an inlet valve at one end within the inlet chamber and a thermostatic diaphragm in the outlet chamber coperating with the other end of the valve stem, the casing having a vent leading from the intermediate chamber to the outlet in a direction adapted to discharge any leakage from the intermediate chamber out of contact with the diaphragm.

5. The combination with a casing including inlet and outlet chambers and an intermediate chamber therebetween, of a valve stem extending through the intermediate chamber having a valve at one end controlling the inlet chamber and a thermostatic diaphragm coperating with the other end of the valve stem, a valve seat in the intermediate chamber surrounding the stem adjacent to the outlet chamber, and a valve ixedly mounted on the stem coperating with the seat, the casing having a vent leading from the intermediate chamber in a direction away from the stem.

6. A vapor valve comprising a casing including inlet and outlet chambers, and an intermediate chamber between them, a valve stem extending through the intermediate chamber and having a valve at one end controlling the inlet, and a thermostatic diaphragm in said outlet chamber coperat ing with its other end, the intermediate chamber separated by stationary walls from the inlet and outlet chambers, and a valve on the stem closing communication between the intermediate chamber and the outlet chamber when the inlet valve is fully open.

7. The combination of a casing including inlet and outlet chambers, a valve stem extending trem theinlet chamber to the outlet chamber andhaving a valve at one end controlling the inlet and a thermostatic diaphragm coperating with its other end, the casing having a supplemental chamber surrounding the central part of the valve stem, a valve seat in the supplemental chamber surrounding the stem at a point adjacent to the outlet chamber, and a valve lixedly mounted on thestem coperating with said seat, the casing having a vent leading from the supplemental chamber.

8. The combination of a casing including inlet and outlet chambers, a valve stem extending from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber and having a valve at one end controlling the inlet, and a diaphragm coperating with the other end, the casing having an intermediate chamber surrounding the central part of the valve stem, a collar surrounding the stem having removable engagement with the casing and forming one end of the intermediate chamber, a valve seat formed on the collar, and a valve arranged on the stem and coperating with said seat. Y

9. The combination of a casing including inlet and outlet chambers, a valve stem extending from the inlet chamber to the outlet chamber and having a valve at one end controlling the inlet, and a diaphragm cooperating with the other end, the casing having an intermediate chamber surrounding the central part of the valve stem, a collar surrounding the stem having removable engagement with the casing and forming one end of the intermediate chamber, a valve seat formed on the collar, a shoulder on the valve stem, a valve Washer abutting said shoulder and coperating with the seat, and a spring engaging the opposite side of said shoulder and actuating the valve toward its seat.

10. A vapor valve comprising a casing having an inlet chamber with a dividing partition and opposite seats, an outlet chamber, a thermostatic diaphragm in said outlet chamber, an inlet valve adapted to close against one of said seats, and a stem communicating movement from said diaphragm to close said valve, and a manuallyoperated shut-oil valve in the inlet chamber adapted to close against the other of said seats, whereby the inflow of steam may be controlled either automatically by said inlet valve or manually by said shut-oit valve.

l1. A vapor valve comprising a casing having an inlet chamber and an outlet chamber, the latter having an inlet thereto and an outlet therefrom, a valve in said inlet chamber, a thermostatic diaphragm exposed in said outlet chamber, and a stem communicating movement therefrom to said valve, said casing having a top opening and a cover therefor which may be opened to get access to the interior of said outlet chamber, and the diaphragm detachably mounted in said chamber and detachably engaging said stem, whereby in case of injury to said diaphragm the chamber may be opened and the diaphragm removed and replaced without otherwise disturbing the operative parts.

12. In a vapor heating system comprising a vapor valve, a radiator receivingr steam under control from said valve and discharging it to the outlet chamber thereof, and a manually-operated shut-oil valve for cutting off steam from the radiator at will, said vapor valve comprising an outlet chamber having an opening receiving the discharge from the radiator, and an outlet opening for the drip, a thermostatic diaphragm exposed in said outlet chamber, a stem communicating movement therefrom to the inlet valve, and the diaphragm detachably engaging said stem, said outlet chamber having a cover which may be opened at will to get access to the diaphragm, whereby by closing said shut-off valve and opening said cover, the diaphragm may be removed and replaced.

In Witness whereof, I have hereunto Signed my name.

EDWARD E. GOLD. Witness:

H. C. PoILLoN. 

